Electrolytic apparatus.



HERBERT R. HANLEY, OF WINTHROP, CALIFORNIA,

ASSIGNOR TO BULLY HILL COPPER,

MINING `t SMELTING COMPANY, A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY.

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented oet. 2, 1917.

Application led June 5, 191.6. Serial No. 101,725.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT R. HANLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Winthrop, in the county of Shasta, State of California, have linvented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrolytic Appaf cathode is maintained in alinement and the ratus, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention comprises an apparatus for the electrolytic deposition of metal and particularly the electrolysis of zinc from aqueous solutions. 4

When .a metal, such for example, as zinc is electrolyzed from a solution of zinc sulfate, zinc chlorid or the like, the electrolyzing voltage rises after a period of time due to polarization and the deposit also becomes pitted and uneven. By forcing air or other suitable gas into the apparatus into contact with the cathode gas bubbles are brushed from the cathode and polarization is dimm- A .ished making it possible to secure thicker and more even deposits of electrolyzed metal.

My invention comprises a novel form of apparatus for introducing air into an electrolytic cell, the aerating device serving also as anode. In accordance with one of the features of my invention the air is introduced into the electrolyte through an opening so large that clogging is avoided, the air being 4received from a supply pipe through a non-submerged orifice of smaller diameter than th'e submerged orifice.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a sectional view of a cathode' platey and two num, or zinc,

anode elements and Fig. 2 is a sectional view of one end of a cell.

Referring to the drawing, the cell asl shown in Fig. 2 comprises a tank or receptacle 1 containing the solution to be electrolyzed, for example, are located a cathode 2 consisting of alumiand a number of vertical anode pipes 3 The anode pipes which may consist of lead, each communicates at the topl with a horizontal Aair supply pipe '4 through anorice '5 about 1;5 in size, the dimension of this orifice being adapted to the drop in air pressure the pipes 3. The pipe 4 communicates through a valve 6 with an air with a hollowbase 8 ofsuitable insulating material, for example, wood or porcelain.

zinc sulfate, in which ,the'bottom of said cathode desired fromthe pipe 4 tov main 7. The lower end of the anode pipes 3 communicates A tight t may be -produce-d byth'e use of an acid-resisting cement 8', for example,

sulfur. The openings ,9 in this base may have a diameter of about f or larger, so that theI opening will not be clogged by crystallized salts or foreign' matter. The

The air bubbles passing over the cathode y 2 sweep away adhering hydrogen bubbles. As indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1 and also in Fig. 2, the alternate holes 9 communicatewith the electrolyte on the side opposite theI alternate holes 9, and the holes 9 of adjacent anode bases are located opposite each other. The rows of anodel pipes are all connected in parallel through the air supply pipe 4, each set, if desired being insulated from the air main by a section 11 of rubber or the like. 4

What I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is 1. An aerating device, comprising a receptacle containing a liquid, an air supply pipe, one or more pipes communicating l therewith through a non-submerged orifice,

trolyte, pipes communicating with said p openings, and a conduit communicating with each of said pipes through non-submerged openings of smaller size than said submerged openings.

3. An electrolytic apparatus comprisinga receptacle, an electrolyte therein, a cathode, an anode located adj acent said cathode comprising a plurality of pipes, a hollow base having a plurality of openings, located near ing with said pipes' and a -conduit supplying 'said pipes through non-submerged openings ofsmaller size anode base. l

4. 'An electrolytic apparatus comprising a receptacle, an electrolyte therein, a' cathode than the openings .in said plate, a ,row of pipes located on opposite' sides ofsaid cathode,

each constituting an and communicatmeneer s hollow anode having a plurality of openings submerged in the electrolyte, and terminating near the lower part of said cathode, means for supplying a gas to said anode to brush adhering gas bubbles from said cathode, and means for guiding the ascending bubbles to impinge on the cathode surface.

In Witness whereof, l have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of May, 1916.

HERBERT R. HANLEY. 

